Molecular theory of the genetic code

Abstract

This article honours Michael Baer on the occasion of his 80th birthday and celebrates his scientific contributions to non-adiabatic chemical physics. This undertaking prompts the presentation of a first principles molecular theory of the genetic code. Jacques Monod’s classic essay, ‘Chance and Necessity’, is exercised as a platform for this discussion. In particular the controversial concept of teleonomy is considered and evaluated in relation to modern developments in chemical physics.